Where is the Rioplatense dialect used? You can hear “Rioplatense Spanish” in parts of Argentina and in Uruguay. The area where this dialect is spoken is known as the “Río de la Plata Basin”, hence the name, “Rioplatense”. Some people refer to this style of speaking as “Argentine Spanish” but this is a misnomer as it is not so common in the center and south of Argentina.

The birth place of Rioplatense looks quite different today.

The big difference: using “Vos” instead of “Tu”. The biggest difference from other Spanish dialects comes up when addressing someone informally. The usual pronoun “Tu” is replaced with “Vos”. This form is called “Voseo” and does not affect the formal address which still requires the pronoun “Usted”.

Other differencesare:

-The use of the periphrastic future (voy a comer), over the imperfect future (comeré).

Our Spanish teacher has a rule: Posts about Argentina must contain an asado (grill)

How did this distinct dialect develop: In the early days of Spanish colonization, the countries now known as Argentina and Uruguay had many immigrants from countries other than Spain (especially Italy). This mix of origin countries along with some influence by the indigenous population set the stage for the creation of this unique way of speaking. Beyond the differences in grammar and vocabulary, you also can’t miss the distinct cadence of this accent. Many describe this accent as having a “singsong pattern” which stems from mixture of indigenous and migrant (especially Italian) pronunciation.

Cathedral of Cremona in Lombardy Italy, Lombardy was a major source of immigrants to Argentina.

Slang unique to Argentina is called “Lunfardo”

Lunfardo is a slang which emerged in Buenos Aires and its surroundings in the second half of the 19th century. Its name comes from the Italian word Lumbardo which means an inhabitant of Lombardy, a northern Italian province. Lunfardo started out as prison slang used by the convicts so that guards wouldn't understand them before being adopted by the broader public.

Lunfardo is so widespread and popular, that if you travel in Argentina, you’ll hear it wherever you go.

Here are some of the common words you’ll hear:

Bondi is a typical way to say ‘bus’. You can say “¡Estoy esperando al bondi” (I’m waiting for the ‘bus’!)

Mina means ‘woman’. But be careful using it as it is very informal and can be considered impolite!

Escabio, which comes from the Italian wine scabi, and means ‘drunk’.

Piola is another way to say ‘smart’. As in “Jimena es muy piola” (Jimena is very smart)

Birra is identical to the Italian word for ‘beer’.

Laburar, which also originates fromItalian, means‘to work’ and often replaces the word trabajar. You may hear things like “Mañana tengo que laburar muchísimo”, (well, depending on how hard-working the people you meet are…)

After taking Language Zen's main Spanish course, picking up this dialect will be easy for you to do. If you want to see a special course focusing on the things mentioned in this article, let us know by leaving feedback by clicking the ‘feedback’ button on our main site.

Whether you’ve set your sights on a relaxing beach resort, or a backpacking Costa Rica adventure - here are some things you’ll want to know.

1. Bring Sunscreen.

Yeah, I realize you’re probably dreaming of bringing back your souvenir tan, but you’ll probably end up with one even if you wear sunscreen. The real question is, do you also want to roast until you look like prematurely aged chicken fillet? Not a good look. Not a good life decision.

2. Avoid Driving After Dark.

Streets aren’t always well-lit. Manholes aren’t always covered, so there’s a lot more men falling into holes. And, any road smaller than a highway isn’t likely to be marked by a sign. So if there’s a particular reason you want to travel at night, hail a taxi. They’re the red cars with the yellow triangle on the door. (Going into a taxi that doesn’t have this label? No bueno.)

3. Know How To Be Polite.

In Costa Rica, it’s customary to greet someone before asking them a question. Really, it makes sense. No one likes to feel like you’re just pumping them for information. Here are the most basic greetings you should know:

¡Buenos días! (Good day!)

¡Buenas tardes! (Good afternoon!)

¿Cómo está? (How are you?)

¡Buenas noches! (Good night! Note: In Latin America, this can be used as a greeting.)

4. Bring Something with Long Sleeves (Bundle Up).

Just because Costa Rica is 10 degrees from the Equator doesn’t mean it’s always sunny. Check the elevation of the place you’ll be staying. It can get chilly during the night in the mountains, so remember to bring something warm.

5. Cheek Kiss, Don’t Hug.

When you’re introduced to someone in Costa Rica, don’t go for the hug. It’s more common in Costa Rica (and most Latin American countries, for that matter) to go for the cheek kiss. Note: This does not actually mean kissing someone’s face. And, guys, when meeting another guy, it’s generally okay to shake hands.

6. Learn Enough Spanish to be Understood.

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We’re not saying you should be fluent before you travel--but your travels will be richer if you can communicate.

Language Zen teaches you the most important words first--the stuff you’ll need to know as soon as you touch down in Costa Rica. (We’re not selling it to you. You can use Language Zen every day for free.) Since Language Zen personalizes the learning experience to fit you, you won’t waste any time. Click to start learning Spanish.

With world-class steak, wine, and a capital city that’s sometimes compared to Paris--it’s easy to understand why Argentina is such a popular destination. (And don’t forget the Argentinian football team, the Andes, and the tango.)

There’s much to see and do in this lush, culturally-rich country. Here are a few tips to make the most of your trip:

1. Take your time. It’s part of the culture.

You know the saying, “time is money?” That’s an American idiom--and it’s definitely not true in Argentina. It’s a place to sit back, prop up your feet, and get a feel for your surroundings. Don’t feel pressured to hop from landmark to landmark. Argentina is meant to be savored slowly, like a good steak.

2. Meat-lovers, prepare to meet your match.

Speaking of steak, Argentina is known for it. Really, you’ve never eaten steak until you’ve eaten it in Argentina, where it’s called “Bife de chorizo.” In case that isn’t binge-worthy enough, the country is also known for “asado,” which is amazing Argentine barbecue.

That being said, Argentina has a lot to offer in other areas of cuisine. Many Argentines are descended from Italian, British, German, and Jewish immigrants--so pizza, sauerkraut, and even scones can be found at certain restaurants. (These are often made with a local, Argentinian twist, though, so prepared to be amazed.)

3. Welcome to the Deep South.

Not that Deep South. The real one.

Though...if you think about it, there are similarities. Argentina boasts cowboys (gauchos) and banjos. Fried chicken is a bit of a local comfort food (milanesas de pollo). And if you think the Louisiana bayou is something, you should see Argentina’s Iberá Wetlands.

But in many important ways, the two places are not the same.

As you can see in our Argentina map, the country is located deep in the Southern Hemisphere, which means that the seasons are flipped. When it’s winter above the equator, it’s high summer in South America.

So, the next time you’re freezing, remember that South Americans are probably enjoying a toasty, sun-bathed day. You’re welcome.

4. Learn Argentine pronunciation.

If you’re going to Argentina, be prepared to throw out some of your typical Spanish pronunciation. Argentina is known for a distinctive brand of Spanish--called “Castellano” (caste-zha-no).

Now, if you accidentally forget to use the Castellano pronunciation, rest assured that people will be able to understand your Spanish anyway. But, here are some differences you can expect to hear:

In Castellano, the double “ll” is pronounced as a “zh.” (Does “zh” sound hard to say? It’s not. Just think of the “s” in the English pronunciation of “vision.” It’s a very soft sound, almost a “sh.”) An example word: llamo (zh-ah-mo)

When there’s an “S” at the end of a word in Castellano (such as “querés”), it’s often dropped. So, “querés” would be pronounced more like “queréh.”

Want to learn some other slang? Just for fun:

“Gomía” is slang for “friend.” (It’s an inversion of “amigo.”)

“Mira vos!” It’s a lot like saying “wow.” The word, “vos” is used often in Castellano, often replacing the word “tú.”.

“Todo bien che?” That’s a common way to ask “how are you?” in Argentina. (Notice the “che” part? That’s another extremely common word. It’s similar to saying “dude” or “pal.”)

“Bajá un cambio” is usually translated to “slow down,” but the meaning is more on-par with “chill out.”

If this all sounds overwhelming, just keep in mind this tip from our friend and fellow-polyglot, Ofir:

“The moment you hear a word you don’t understand, you’ll have the tendency to stop and try to understand it--and you’ll lose the rest of the sentence.” So don’t sweat the small stuff. If you hear a word that sounds strange, just keep going. Let context help you comprehend the meaning.

5. Wine? ¡Sí!

Where there are incredible mountains, there are also incredible valleys--which means wine country. Mendoza Province lies in the shadow of the Andes mountains, and it’s famous for producing one-of-a-kind Malbec wine.

Of course, you don’t need to travel to Mendoza to drink the wine. You’ll find it served in restaurants throughout Cordoba, Buenos Aires, and other cities.

Find a vintage red that pairs with a plate of empanadas, and all you’ll do is win.

6. Treat your money nicely.

Paper money in Argentina is famous for being worn out, so prepare to handle the bills carefully lest they crumble in your hands. Know that if you run out of the paper stuff, you can access more at ATMs (cajeros automáticos), but they’re not always easy to find. It’s best to ask a local where the ATMs are located near your hotel or hostel.

Of course, this is easier if you’ve considered tip #7...

7. Speak Spanish.

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We’re not saying you should be fluent before you travel--but your travels will be richer if you can communicate.

Language Zen teaches you the most important words first--the stuff you’ll need to know as soon as you touch down in Argentina. (We’re not selling it to you. You can use Language Zen every day for free.) Since Language Zen personalizes the learning experience to fit you, you won’t waste any time. Click to start learning Spanish.